Pastor Jacob on what the 40 | 40 Initiative has meant to Calvary Baptist Church
40 Churches40 Sent
Celebrating our 40th Anniversary in a bold way
The religious landscape in the United States is in real transition right now. We believe God is calling Celebration to something far bigger than what’s happening here on the corner of Shamrock and Centerville. Where God is leading us is directly connected to the challenges facing the American church.
- 2019- 34% attended church regularly; 2021- 28% attended church regularly
- 70% of 18-22-year-olds who attended church regularly for at least a year no longer attend.
- Nationwide worship attendance is at 85% of pre-pandemic levels
- Fewer than 50% of Americans now claim to be members of a church.
- In 2019, 4,500 churches closed and only 3,000 opened.
- In 1972, 92% of Americans said they were Christian; in 2020, only 64%.
- 34% of Gen Z claim no religious affiliation.
These statistics represent real people, living without Jesus. Many of them are people we know and love. How do we combat what seems like such a bleak picture?
In 2021, for our 40th Anniversary, Celebration set a goal of planting or replanting 40 churches and sending 40 people into full-time missions or ministry work over the next five years. As we look at the state of our world, this goal is even more important.
Below you will find information on our ministry partners in this bold effort.
40 Churches
Baptist Church, Northern Iraq
Northern Iraq
For security reasons, no other information can be shared online
Divine Life Fellowship Church
Olievenhoutbosch, Gauteng, South Africa
Leadership: Pastor Sandy & Oratile
Sponsored through Abba's Pride
Faith Restoration and Born Again Center
Winterveld, Gauteng, South Africa
Leadership: Pastor George & Sarah
Sponsored through Abba's Pride
MMUSO WA MAGODIMO Christian Center
Cyferskuil, North-West, South Africa
Leadership: Pastor Martin & Doris
Sponsored through Abba's Pride
Ramotse Church
Ramotse, Gauteng, South Africa
Leadership: Pastor Oupa
Sponsored through Abba's Pride
Rock of Ages Christian Church
Mmolta, North-West, South Africa
Leadership: Pastor Silas & Maria
Sponsored through Abba's Pride
40 Sent
Scroll to the side below for information and updates on those serving fulltime in the mission field or ministry.
Jesús & Monica Avilés
Student Pastor
Celebration Baptist ChurchTallahassee, FL
The Avilés family joined Celebration in 2021 and instantly they had an impact on those around them. When the church family found itself in need of a new student pastor, Jesús and his background in education and encouraging parental involvement became a clear candidate.
Now ordained and finishing his seminary degree, we are honored to have Pastor Jesús and his family as part of our ministry.
Neomi Aviles
Ministry Leader
Tallahassee, FL
Neomi has a passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus with children in a way they can understand and embrace. After completing high school, she felt the Lord calling her to make that passion her life purpose.
Neomi now serves at Celebration as our Children's Ministry Director, working alongside Family Pastor, Tommy Hendricks, to lead weekly children's ministry activities, Adventure Week and more!
Seth & Torie Bartee
Church PlantersUtah
After several years as part of the Celebration family, Seth, Torie, and their three children are preparing to plant a church in Utah. They are currently serving in a residency program at Pioneer Community Church in Eagle Mountain, Utah. When they finish this training, will be starting a new church.
Kennedy Kate Brown
Church Planter
Utah
Kennedy Kate graduated from Chiles High School in 2024 and then served as a student ministry intern at Celebration. After a year in service to her home church, she knew that God was calling her to more.
In March of 2025, she packed up all her belongings and moved to Utah to serve with the Bartee family. She will serve as a student ministry leader alongside them as they plant a church.
Zac & Chelsea Funari
Chuch PlantersGreenville, FL
Zac was ordained as a pastor at Celebration while completing his seminary degree. He served with church-replanting partner, Calvary Baptist Church then was called to be lead pastor at Greenville Baptist Church.
He and Chelsea have just welcomed thier first child.
Landon Hardeman
MissionaryAmazon Rainforest
Landon is serving in Central and South America with the International Mission Board. He's currently finishing his training and then will spend 2 years traveling through the Amazon Rainforest , contacting unreached people groups and sharing the gospel.
Heather
International Mission BoardEurope
Heather is serving throughout Europe with the International Mission Board (IMB). She is leading research with unreached people groups throughout the continent.
The IMB is supported by Southern Baptist Churches and sends missionaries throughout the work. Heather is currently part of almost 4,000 field personnel with the IMB.
Joey Hendricks
Ministry StaffCamp ComecaCozad, Nebraska
Joey is a Celebration Preacher Kid. He's been a part of our church family since his father, Pastor Tommy, joined the staff in 2006.
Joey is now serving at Camp Comeca. Comeca is proud to provide incredible Christian camps for youth in Central Nebraska, and year-round retreats where all people can experience Christ.
Sterling Hill
Ministry Leader
Tallahassee, FL
Sterling has been a part of the Celebration family since she was in elementary school. While in college, her passion for protecting the most vulnerable led her to work with A Women's Pregnancy Center.
Sterling has chosen to continue serving the community and spreading the gospel by continuing her work with A Women's Pregnancy Center and its associated ministries in the Big Bend.
Bailey Pace
Ministry Staff
Campus OutreachStatesboro, GA
Bailey served with Campus Outreach for two years at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA.
Campus Outreach is a global ministry working through local churches to reach and develop the next generation of Christ-centered leaders.
Bailey has finished her time with Campus Outreach and is now seeking the Lord's will for her.
Becky Pius
MissionaryGod Said Go
Guatemala
Guatemala
God Said Go works in remote communities providing medical care, children's activities, and works with pastors and church leaders to provide encouragement and discipleship. Becky serves as a nurse, assessing patients and providing basic medical care and education.
Becky is currently on a leave of absence, caring for her 98-year-old father.
Andrés & Johanna Reyes
Chruch PlantersMorningside en EspañolTallahassee, FL
Tallahassee, FL
Andres was ordained as a pastor by Celebration and then served as Associate Pastor for Celebration en Español. Johanna was previously a part of our church staff, serving in Missions and Benevolence. She returned home full-time when they welcomed their second son.
Andres will be joining Morningside Baptist Church in Tallahassee to Plant Morningside en Español. We know the Reyes family will be a blessing to this new church!
Grady & Kaitlin Shafer
Church PlantersWoodrun Baptist ChurchTallahassee, FL
Tallahassee, FL
Grady Shafer grew up and was ordained as a pastor at Celebration. Kaitlin joined the Celebration family in high school.
The Shafers served as missionaries in Indonesia. Now that they are back in Tallahassee, Grady is Pastor at Woodrun Baptist Church and leading them through a revitalization after their congregation.
Dennis & Marty Walker
MissionariesGuatemala
Marty & Dennis felt called to dedicate their retirement years to serving God's call. They are in Guatemala serving with God Said Go. Marty uses her nursing skills in medical clinics and Marty provides teaching, leadership training and more.
God Said Go works in remote communities providing medical care, children's activities, and works with pastors and church leaders to provide encouragement and discipleship.
Rachel, Torre, & Jonathan
Missionaries
Iquitos, Peru
Recent high school grads, Rachel (c/o 2024), Torre (c/o 2025) and Jonathan (c/o 2025) have devoted their summer to serving with a church in Iquitos, Peru. They will be working alongside the local ministry to reach out to their neighbors and residents of the Amazon with the love of Jesus.
They will be teaching English, leading special activities, participating in evangelism, leading worship, and more!
Torre and Rachel plan to return to Tallahassee August 2025 to continue pursing their education and working at Celebration, while Jonathan hopes to remain in Peru and continue his minsitry there.
40 Sent Stories
Testimonies and updates from Celebration members now serving in long-term missions and ministry